Ombudsman investigates Dong Gonzales, other lawmakers for business conflicts

Former Pampanga Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales is being investigated for serving as a lawmaker while at the same time engaging in business as a contractor for the government, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Thursday.

At a public forum, Remulla said Gonzales was being investigated, along with nine other lawmakers, for being in Congress while still in the contracting business.

"As I have said, people didn't believe that there would be any accountability whatsoever, and they were violating the law," Remulla said.

“It's a prohibited activity. It's a conflict of interest thing that is found in so many laws on corruption...We are investigating his construction company and its projects,” Remulla added.

Sought for comment, Gonzales said he welcomed an inquiry into the issue.

"While I welcome any inquiry on the matter, I am not aware of an ongoing Ombudsman formal investigation against me on prohibited interest," said Gonzales, a former senior deputy speaker in the House of Representatives.

He served as the congressman representing the third district of Pampanga from 2007 to 2013, and again from 2016 to 2025.

"I recall that a case against me involving the same projects filed before the Ombudsman was dismissed sometime in 2023 for lack of merit. It appears to be a rehashed and recycled subject, if any," Gonzales said.

Remulla said the Ombudsman’s investigation on Gonzales and nine other lawmakers includes all government projects that are not necessarily related to flood control projects

“It's not just about flood control. It's about other illegal interests and lawful interests. Sa ngayon, nasa ano pa lang tayo, nasa sampu pa lang siguro tayo. Talaga maraming sasabit rito,” Remulla said.

(We are investigating just 10 right now, but a lot of people will be in trouble here.)

“Kasi isa-isa yan eh, kailangan hihimayin mo eh. Dahil maraming magaling magpatakbo eh.Maraming namang hindi na nagtago, talagang ginawa na lang. Iyon ang unahin natin because they are the low-hanging fruit,” he added.

(We really need to sift through this because a lot of people are so cunning in how they operate. Some made no effort to hide their nefarious activities, so we will prosecute them first since they are the low-hanging fruit here.) –NB, GMA Integrated News